Five Best Shark Films That Aren’t Jaws
Warner Bros. Pictures
Jaws is the daddy of all shark films, but there have been several flicks released over the years that come close to capturing the fear of the ‘70s classic. We’ve picked five of our favourites below.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Die Hard director Renny Harlin’s ‘90s actioner features genetically enhanced Mako sharks wreaking havoc on an underwater research station. The stacked cast includes B-graders Thomas Jane and Michael Rapaport. Aussie Jacqueline McKenzie and Samuel L Jackson, who features in one of the movie’s most shocking scenes.
The Shallows (2016)
Blake Lively versus a killer shark. Does anything more need to be said? This underrated gem shot in Australia pits Lively against a menacing shark intent on stopping her from swimming to shore. A tension-filled thriller with one of the realistic CGI sharks to make it to the big screen.
Open Water (2003)
Loosely based on a real-life tragedy, Open Water centres on a couple who go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and are accidentally left behind. Stranded in the middle of the ocean, terror quickly sets in for the pair when they realise a shiver of sharks has surrounded them.
The MEg (2018)
Action hero Jason Statham takes on a Megalodon that’s been minding its own business in the Mariana Trench in this wildly fun shark flick. Statham is at his stoic best in this ridiculous blockbuster that made over $530 million worldwide and spawned the terrible sequel, Meg 2: The Trench.
Bait (2021)
A tsunami hits a Coolangatta supermarket, trapping the staff, customers and a couple of would-be robbers inside. They soon find a common enemy – a 12-foot white pointer that’s been washed into the store. Chaos ensues as the shark chomps its way through the cast as they try and escape
